Briefs: Oak-Land Spring Cabaret

Oak-Land Spring Cabaret

Community members of all ages will enjoy a casual evening of entertainment at Oak-Land Junior Highs Spring Cabaret. This event features the schools two jazz bands and an assortment of student performances. There will be a silent auction and refreshments for sale. Proceeds provide Oak-Land band students with scholarships for summer music camps and lessons. The Spring Cabaret will be held 7-9 p.m. Tuesday, April 29 at Oak-Land Junior High, 820 Manning Ave, Lake Elmo. There is a $5 admission fee, with free admission for kids under 12.

Spring kayak excursion

Celebrate the spring migration with a paddle on the St. Croix River. Join a guided kayak program 7:30-11:30 a.m. Saturday, May 3 from Minnesota Interstate Park to Osceola Landing to learn about the return of these summer residents and how the Riverway provides them with such a special habitat. 6 miles, 4 hours. Registration deadline is April 30. For all programs, kayaks and related equipment, including a personal flotation device, will be provided. A 30-minute paddling instruction and safety session will occur prior to departure and must be attended by all participants. Participants should have previous paddling experience and must be 18 years of age or older. The cost is $35 per person and space is limited to 8 participants. For more information and to register, visit scrapaddle.org or call 715-483-3300.

Septic system replacement loan program

Washington County announces the launch of the Washington County Subsurface Sewage Treatment System (SSTS) Low Interest Loan Program, to assist homeowners with replacement of noncompliant septic systems. The county is using funds from the Minnesota Department of Agriculture (MDA)s Agricultural Best Management Practice program, by serving as a local lender. Several other counties, including Carver County, have programs like this in place. The county is partnering with the Washington County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (HRA) to administer the program. Funds will be available to any property that is not connected to city sewer services, including businesses. Loans will be made on a first-come, first-served basis, with no income or asset restrictions. The failing systems must meet certain criteria, before the loan is issued. Loan term options include 5, 8 or 10 years, with interest rates ranging from 1.5 percent to 3 percent. Interested applicants will apply to the HRA, which will conduct a financial review before the county approves a loan. Loan payments will be made through a special assessment on property taxes, typically due twice a year in the spring and fall. The county also has a small amount of cost-share grant funds to assist lower income residents with replacing noncompliant SSTS in homes. Cost share grants range from $4,500 to $6,000. These funds are only available to residents who meet certain income guidelines, and are made possible through the states Clean Water Fund. To learn more about SSTS loan and grant options in Washington County, or obtain application materials, see co.washington.mn.us/septic. Contact the HRA at 651-458-0936 with questions about the application process, or the Department of Public Health and Environment at 651-430-6655 for more information on whether an SSTS is eligible. Application materials should be sent to the HRA.

Wastewater plant operators honored

The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) recently recognized Gary Johnson from Metropolitan Council St. Croix Valley for maintaining a perfect compliance record with their wastewater treatment permit during 2013. This year, Metropolitan Council St. Croix Valley wastewater treatment facility was among 128 wastewater facilities statewide to receive this award. To be eligible for this award, facility operators were required to submit all monitoring reports to the MPCA correctly and on time, demonstrate consistent compliance through monitoring or surveys and employ staff certified by the MPCA in wastewater operations. The awards were presented at the 77th annual Wastewater Operations Conference on March 26 in Brooklyn Park. The annual conference brings together wastewater operators throughout the state for training and professional education. In Minnesota, there are about 1360 municipal and industrial wastewater treatment facilities.

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Briefs: Oak-Land Spring Cabaret